US plans same-day negotiations on Ukraine and Iran - Reuters
Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff (Photo: Getty Images)
Next week, on Tuesday, January 17, two diplomatic rounds of talks are scheduled to take place in Geneva on Ukraine and Iran, according to Reuters.
Read also: Peace deal only with public approval - Zelenskyy names possible referendum timeline
According to a source, the US delegation, which includes Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, will meet with the Iranians on Tuesday. Representatives from Oman will also attend the meeting, acting as mediators in these contacts.
Later in the day, Witkoff and Kushner will participate in a trilateral meeting with representatives from Russia and Ukraine.
Reuters notes that US President Donald Trump is putting pressure on the Iranian government after protests in the country were brutally suppressed. In addition, he has concentrated a significant number of US naval forces in the region.
At the same time, Trump is trying to persuade Ukraine and Russia to reach an agreement to end the war.
Negotiations on Ukraine
At the end of January and the beginning of February, two rounds of talks took place in Abu Dhabi between Ukraine, the US, and Russia. Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov reported that, in the last meeting, the parties discussed methods for implementing a ceasefire and monitoring the cessation of hostilities.
According to Reuters, citing its sources, Ukraine and the US recently discussed the possibility of reaching a peace agreement with Russia as early as March. Bloomberg also reported that presidential elections and a referendum on a potential peace agreement are allegedly planned for May.
Meanwhile, negotiations between the parties are still ongoing. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced that the next round of trilateral talks will take place in Geneva on February 17–18. The Russian delegation will be led by Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky.
Russian media also reported that the Russian leader will send Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin to the negotiations. Galuzin is known as a supporter of a hardline course and aggressive foreign policy.
Rustem Umerov confirmed the negotiations, stating that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has approved the composition of the negotiation delegation. The Ukrainian side will include the same representatives who participated in the Abu Dhabi talks.
On February 13, Donald Trump stated that Russia wants to reach an agreement, adding that Zelenskyy will have to take action, he will miss a great opportunity.
